The Element of Freedom

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| quote = It feels emotional and vulnerable but there's also a kind of freedom in it. I can't quite find a better word than freedom to really describe it. Even though every song has touches of different textures and sounds, the overall [sense of] freedom is the thing that grounds it. It's definitely the theme of where I am in my life.

| source = — Alicia Keys, Billboard.

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After recording her third studio album, As I Am, Keys began to "find the way to totally be myself and what that meant; figuring out what choices I wanted to make and not make in order to truly honor myself".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266779/the-alicia-keys-element-billboard-cover-story-video|title= The Alicia Keys 'Element' Billboard Cover Story & Video|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|date=November 6, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 23, 2013}} Keys began working on the album in May 2009. During this time, Keys and her Audio engineer bought several vintage keyboards, describing the Moog as her "special best friend".{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/12/14/alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-an-interview-and-new-music-preview/|title=Alicia Keys' "The Element of Freedom": An Interview and New Music Preview|last=Fusilli|first=Jim|date=December 14, 2009|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=December 14, 2009}} Recording took place at Keys' Oven Studios in Long Island, New York.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.jrecords.com/aliciakeys/aliciakeys_rollingstone_nov_2009.bmp|title=Alicia Keys' Suburban Soul Factory|last=Eells|first=Josh|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713123022/http://www.jrecords.com/aliciakeys/aliciakeys_rollingstone_nov_2009.bmp|archive-date=July 13, 2011}} Keys expressed that she "didn't know what to do" when she began working on the album, but knew to do it.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266970/alicia-keys-debuts-new-single-for-nyu-students|title=Alicia Keys Debuts New Single for NYU Students|last=Concepcion|first=Mariel|date=October 22, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 23, 2013}} After exhausting herself, she stated that she "finally found the key, and that is to allow yourself to be free". She explained that the album dealt with overcoming depression, going on to say: "I found more freedom. Before, I thought I could only show the strong side of me. Now there’s a mixture of strong and delicate. A new sound, a new emotion. That’s a lot of who I am right now".{{cite web|url=http://www.theimproper.com/music/?p=142|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911172605/http://www.theimproper.com/music/?p=142|archive-date=September 11, 2012|title=Alicia Keys Tackles Depression with Fourth Album|date=December 2, 2009|publisher=The Improper|access-date=December 3, 2009}} Recording for the album was completed between August and September 2009. Keys described that she "love[d] melody so much", but approached the album with a "free zone". The album includes production by Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Jeff Bhasker, Noah "40" Shebib and Swizz Beatz.

MTV News reported that Keys and rapper Jay-Z recorded "Empire State of Mind Part 2", a second version of "Empire State of Mind" from Jay-Z's album The Blueprint 3.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625604/20091105/jay_z.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108025629/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625604/20091105/jay_z.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 8, 2009|title=Jay-Z and Alicia Keys Record 'Empire State of Mind Part 2'|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=November 5, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=November 5, 2009}} The final product, titled "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down", did not feature Jay-Z.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627691/20091204/keys_alicia.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207001332/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627691/20091204/keys_alicia.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2009|title=Alicia Keys Collabos with Beyoncé, Drake Hit the Net|last1=Aswad|first1=Jem|last2=Vena|first2=Jocelyn |date=December 4, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=December 11, 2009}} In mid-November 2009, Brothers revealed on Twitter that Canadian recording artist Drake would be featured on the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/15/alicia-keys-enlists-drake-for-new-album/|title=Alicia Keys Enlists Drake for New Album|date=November 15, 2009|work=Rap-Up|access-date=November 17, 2009}} Drake described the studio session with Keys as "one of the best studio experiences of my life". He explained that "I came in there and instead of being like, 'Here's the beat, get to work,' she was just like, 'Play me your favorite songs and lets battle'... It's almost like the transition from [listening to] great music to making a song — like, no one even noticed it, because she started playing the keys and I just started writing the melodies."{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627827/20091208/drake.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107180150/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627827/20091208/drake.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2010|title=Drake Calls Alicia Keys Collaboration 'One of the Best Moments of My Career'|last=Dinh|first=James|date=December 8, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=December 11, 2009}} Keys stated that due to the album being pushed back, she was able to record "How It Feels to Fly", as well as to work with Drake and Beyoncé, which Keys described as "the most exciting collaborations of my career yet".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266604/alicia-keys-confirms-beyonce-drake-collaborations-on-freedom|title=Alicia Keys Confirms Beyoncé, Drake Collaborations on 'Freedom'|last=Concepcion|first=Mariel|date=November 24, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 23, 2013}} Keys revealed to The Times that in the period she was recording the album, she listened to artists such as Genesis, Tears for Fears, Fleetwood Mac and The Police.{{cite web |last=Potton |first=Ed |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6960685.ece |title=Alicia Keys lets rip |work=The Times |date=December 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615090738/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6960685.ece |archive-date=June 15, 2011 |access-date=February 14, 2010}} In an interview with Billboard, Keys stated that she "eliminated all of the boundaries and all the limitations, so that you can feel your freedom and express your freedom in every way you possibly can".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267105/alicia-keys-reveals-freedom-details|title=Alicia Keys Reveals 'Freedom' Details|last=Concepcion|first=Mariel|date=October 9, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 23, 2013}}

{{listen |filename=Un-thinkable (I'm Ready).sample.ogg|title="Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" |description=The song features a down-tempo, quiet storm style with skittering beats, trembling synths, deep piano chord progressions, and light drums.{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7895-the-top-100-tracks-of-2010/4/ |title=The Top 100 Tracks of 2010: The Element of Freedom (Alicia Keys) |work=Pitchfork Media |last=Lambert |first=Molly |date=2010-12-13 |access-date=2011-02-25}}}}

Music writers have noted Keys' transition from 1960s and 1970s R&B and soul to 1980s and 1990s pop-oriented sound with the album.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/arts/music/14choi.html|title=New CDs from Alicia Keys, Timbaland and Jimmy Buffett – Review|last=Ratliff|first=Ben|date=December 13, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 14, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.chron.com/peep/2009/12/alicia_keys_and_the_freedom_of_1.html|title=Alicia Keys and the Freedom of love|date=December 14, 2009|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=December 14, 2009}}Farber, Jim. [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2009/12/14/2009-12-14_alicia_keys_nonetoooriginal_synth_in_the_element_of_freedom.html Review: The Element of Freedom]. New York Daily News. Retrieved on 2010-02-14. Ben Ratliff of The New York Times described most of the album's songs as "professionals ... slow, clean songs with semi-classical acoustic piano, soft-pop chord changes and simple, prominent hip-hop beats". The Washington Post{{'}}s Allison Stewart wrote that the album "relies unusually heavily upon mid-tempo, carefully layered lovesick ballads".Stewart, Allison (2009-12-15). "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/14/AR2009121403616.html 'Element' is another safe, uninspiring album from R&B star Alicia Keys]." The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2010-02-14. Keys received some comparisons to musician Prince.{{Cite magazine |last=Greenblatt |first=Leah |date=December 9, 2009 |title=The Element of Freedom |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/12/09/element-freedom/ |access-date=August 24, 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1951|title=Alicia Keys, The Element of Freedom – Review|last=Cole|first=Matthew|date=December 14, 2009|publisher=Slant Magazine|access-date=December 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220224643/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1951|archive-date=December 20, 2009}} Slant Magazine's Matthew Cole wrote that "some retro synth work lends a funky backdrop" to Keys' "breathy vamping, alternating disco-diva choruses with Prince-worthy verses". Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic pointed out the "always apparent" influence of Prince, as Keys "swapped the retro-soul instrumentation of her earliest music for electronics". He identified the album as "clean, small-scale collection of ballads and Prince-inspired pop". Several writers also noted that the album's tenth track, "Put It in a Love Song", distinguishes itself from the rest of the album, being described as having "dreamy, sun-dazed production" and is "quantitatively different energy".{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/alicia-keys_1209.htm|title=Alicia Keys – The Element of Freedom|last=Burgess|first=Andrew|date=December 14, 2009|publisher=MusicOMH|access-date=December 14, 2009}}

Keys described The Element of Freedom as diverse, but noted that there is a "balance". She explained that "one side is strong and one side is vulnerable", which she pointed to as the theme of the album. The album has a "strong, edgy feel", but is also "intimate and vulnerable and delicate".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623531/20091009/keys_alicia.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011181500/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623531/20091009/keys_alicia.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2009|title=Alicia Keys to Release The Element of Freedom in December|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 9, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=October 16, 2009}} While on BET's 106 & Park, she described the album: "The way that the songs progress [on the album] are gonna take you on a natural high. I just want you to feel a sense of freedom, I want you to feel out-of-the-box, feel inspired, You're definitely going to be taken on a trip, I know you're going to be shocked, you're going to hear things that you probably didn't think that I would sound like. It's a journey."{{cite web|url=http://www.yoraps.com/news1.php?subaction=showfull&id=1253185506&ucat=1|title=Alicia Keys Revealed Release Date for New Album|date=September 17, 2009|work=Yo! Raps|access-date=October 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718143443/http://www.yoraps.com/news1.php?subaction=showfull&id=1253185506&ucat=1|archive-date=July 18, 2011}} The Element of Freedom is composed mostly of love songs, whose lyrics deal with relationships, falling in love, and/or heartbreak. The lead single "Doesn't Mean Anything" has a similar theme to Keys' previous single "If I Ain't Got You" (2004) from her second studio album The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003)–choosing love over materialism. However, some of the songs feature different lyrical themes: "Wait Til You See My Smile" is about one not allowing negative people to defeat them, "How It Feels to Fly" is about taking risks just to experience their positive side, and "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" contains references to various locations in New York City and its famous residents, while describing the city's essence. The album's Empire Edition includes a cover of Michael Jackson's 1975 song "We're Almost There" on its bonus disc, alongside the song "Lover Man" and live versions of Keys' singles from previous albums.

On September 14, 2009, the day after the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Keys posted the audio to the album's lead single "Doesn't Mean Anything" on her YouTube channel.{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/15/alicia-keys-doesnt-mean-anything/|title=Alicia Keys' 'Doesn't Mean Anything' hits the Web: Hear it here|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|date=September 15, 2009|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 5, 2009}} The song was released via iTunes Store on September 22.{{cite web|url=http://aliciakeys.com/?em14=2025_-1__0_~0_-1_10_2009_0_0&content=news|title='Doesn't Mean Anything' Available at iTunes!|date=September 21, 2009|publisher=aliciakeys.com|access-date=October 6, 2009}} In October, she performed the song on Live with Regis and Kelly.{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=1542425|title=Alicia Keys Gets Liberated in December|date=October 12, 2009|work=FMQB|publisher=Mediaspan Online Services|access-date=October 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223071145/http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=1542425|archive-date=February 23, 2012}} On October 21, Keys held "The Element of Freedom Lecture & Performance Series" at the New York University, free for students at the Tisch School of the Arts. Among the songs she performed included the then-new "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart". The song, produced by Keys and Jeff Bhasker, was released as the second single from the album. The music video premiered on November 16.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/11/16/video-alicia-keys-try-sleeping-with-a-broken-heart/|title=Video: Alicia Keys – 'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart'|date=November 16, 2009|work=Rap-Up|access-date=November 17, 2009}} Keys performed a medley of "Empire State of Mind", "Doesn't Mean Anything" and "No One" on the sixth season of The X Factor on November 29.{{cite web|url=http://xfactor.itv.com/2009/news/viewer/item_100242.htm|title=Rihanna and Alicia Keys confirmed!|publisher=ITV|access-date=November 18, 2009}} Keys performed a benefit concert at the Nokia Theater in New York City on December 1, where all the proceeds went to the Keep a Child Alive program. The concert—held on World AIDS Day—was streamed live via YouTube.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/arts/music/03keys.html|title=In Command of Her Sound and Herself|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=December 2, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 3, 2009}} As part of the promotional drive for the album, she performed at the Cayman Islands Jazz Festival on December 5, the final night of the three-day festival which would be broadcast on BET.{{cite web|url=http://www.caymannewsservice.com/local-news/2009/05/11/alicia-keys-perform-jazz-fest |title=Alicia Keys to perform at Jazz Fest |date=May 11, 2009 |work=Cayman News Service |access-date=May 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515011632/http://www.caymannewsservice.com/local-news/2009/05/11/alicia-keys-perform-jazz-fest |archive-date=May 15, 2009 |url-status=dead }} The Element of Freedom was originally scheduled to be released that day, to correspond with World AIDS Day, but was pushed back to December 15 for additional recording.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/25/alicia-keys-will-wait-for-freedom/|title=Alicia Keys Will Wait for 'Freedom'|work=Rap-Up|access-date=October 26, 2009}} According to the senior vice president of urban marketing for J Records, Keys "had a couple of more things in the oven and she wants this to be right [...] So we gave her the additional time she needed." Keys pointed out that she felt the album was being rushed for no reason. In an interview with Scottish newspaper The Scotsman, she stated that it "seems unfair to have to rush these songs that were still coming and not allow them to be the best songs they could be. It was just two weeks' difference, but it made for an even better record".{{cite web |last=Graff |first=Gary |date=February 1, 2010 |url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/interview-alicia-keys-1-473646 |title=Interview: Alicia Keys, singer |work=The Scotsman |access-date=January 30, 2017}} On December 16, BET's 106 & Park hosted a two-hour special titled 106 & Keys, which consisted of a countdown of Keys' videos and a live performance.

A week prior to its release, Keys streamed The Element of Freedom in its entirety on the peer-to-peer music streaming service Spotify,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i6328aaffeb014c135f8e2506a6da2a79|title=Spotify Scores Alicia Keys Album Preview|last=Smirke|first=Richard|date=December 3, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 10, 2009}} as well as social networking website Facebook through a Facebook Platform. She became the first major recording artist in Facebook's history to do so.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/07/AR2009120702179.html|title=Alicia Keys Streams New Album on Facebook|last=Kincaid|first=Jason|date=December 7, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 8, 2009}} The Element of Freedom was released in the United States on December 15, having been released internationally four days earlier. Its deluxe edition with two bonus tracks and a bonus DVD was released simultaneously with the standard edition; in the United States, both editions were accompanied by the double-disc Empire Edition. The "Alicia Keys & Friends" concert took place on January 7, 2010, at the Apollo Theater in New York City. In addition to her performances, Keys introduced new artists who also performed during the event.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/on-location-alicia-keys-friends-at-the-apollo-theater/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112204325/http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/on-location-alicia-keys-friends-at-the-apollo-theater/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2010|title=On Location: Alicia Keys & Friends at the Apollo Theater|date=January 8, 2010 |publisher=Black Entertainment Television|access-date=February 7, 2010}} Keys also performed on Saturday Night Live on January 9, followed by an AOL Music Sessions premiere on January 14. On February 14, Keys performed with recording artists Usher and Shakira at the 2010 NBA All-Star Game during halftime. At the show, Keys performed "No One" from her 2007 album As I Am. She also performed "Empire State of Mind" as well "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart".{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/allstar/2010/02/02/music.performances/?ls=iref:nbahpt2|title=Alicia Keys, Shakira and Usher to perform at All-Star Game|date=February 2, 2010|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=February 7, 2010}} On March 3, Keys embarked on the North American leg of the Freedom Tour at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The European leg of the tour started in late April.[http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur58271.cfm NEW ALICIA KEYS JOINT #1: 'The Element of Freedom' tops the charts]. EURWeb. Retrieved on 2010-01-11. Keys performed at the Essence Music Festival taking place July 2–4, 2010.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959285/alicia-keys-joins-mary-j-blige-as-headliner-of-2010-essence-festival |title=Alicia Keys Joins Mary J. Blige As Headliner Of 2010 Essence Festival |first=Devin |last=Chanda |date=February 23, 2010 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 23, 2013}} In April, Keys announced a reissue of the album, which ultimately never materialized.[http://www.rap-up.com/2010/04/12/alicia-keys-eyes-freedom-re-release/ Alicia Keys Eyes ‘Freedom’ Re-Release]. Rap-Up. Retrieved on 2010-05-22.

File:Beyonce.jpg performs on the single "Put It in a Love Song"]]

Keys released "Doesn't Mean Anything" as the lead single from The Element of Freedom on September 22, 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002VH31XS |title=Doesn't Mean Anything: Alicia Keys: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=2010-10-25}} Critics gave the song positive reviews, comparing it to previous singles "No One", "Superwoman" and "If I Ain't Got You".{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1070814/alicia-keys-doesnt-mean-a-thing |title=Alicia Keys, 'Doesn't Mean a Thing' |first=Mariel |last=Concepcion |magazine=Billboard |date=September 25, 2009 |access-date=March 23, 2013}}{{cite web |last=Levine |first=Nick |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a179171/alicia-keys-its-great-to-have-you-back/ |title=Alicia Keys, it's great to have you back |publisher=Digital Spy |date=September 25, 2009 |access-date=2010-10-25}} In Europe, the song reached the top five in Switzerland{{cite web |url=http://www.swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Alicia+Keys&titel=Doesn%27t+Mean+Anything&cat=s |title=Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything |publisher=swisscharts.com |access-date=2010-10-25}} and top ten in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Be |title=Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=2010-10-25}} It peaked at number 14 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart but only managed to reach number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite web |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=alicia keys|chart=Hot 100}} |title=Alicia Keys Chart History |publisher=Billboard.com |access-date=October 16, 2011}}

On November 17, 2009, Keys released the second single "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart".{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 |title=Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! |publisher=FMQB |access-date=2010-10-25}} It received critical acclaim as the album's standout moment for its timeless synths and throwbacks to the 1980s.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/alicia-keys_1209.htm |title=Alicia Keys – The Element Of Freedom | album reviews |publisher=musicOMH |access-date=2010-10-25}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/mt/2009/12/v-opinion-alicia-keys-has-more-heart-less-soul/ |title=V Opinion: Alicia Keys Has More Heart, Less Soul |publisher=VIBE |date=2009-12-15 |access-date=2010-10-25}}{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11659-try-sleeping-with-a-broken-heart/ |title=The Playlist: Alicia Keys – "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" |publisher=Pitchfork |access-date=2010-10-25}} The song was more successful than "Doesn't Mean Anything", reaching number two in Norway{{cite web |url=http://www.norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Alicia+Keys&titel=Try+Sleeping+With+A+Broken+Heart&cat=s |title=Alicia Keys – Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart |publisher=norwegiancharts.com |access-date=2010-10-25}} and five in Denmark,{{cite web |url=https://danishcharts.dk/showitem.asp?interpret=Alicia+Keys&titel=Try+Sleeping+With+A+Broken+Heart&cat=s |title=Alicia Keys – Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart |publisher=danishcharts.dk |access-date=2010-10-25}} as well as number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It was later released in the United Kingdom as the album's third single, where it would go on to peak at number seven.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20100523/7501/ |title=Archive Chart |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=2010-05-29 |access-date=2010-10-25}}

"Put It in a Love Song", featuring Beyoncé, was released as the third single from the album in January 2010. It did best in Australia, where it peaked at number 18{{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Alicia+Keys+feat%2E+Beyonc%E9&titel=Put+It+In+A+Love+Song&cat=s |title=Alicia Keys feat. Beyoncé – Put It In A Love Song |publisher=australian-charts.com |access-date=2010-10-25}} and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.auaccreds2010.htm |title=ARIA 2010 Charts |publisher=Aria.com.au |date=2010-09-30 |access-date=2010-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019084728/http://aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.auaccreds2010.htm |archive-date=October 19, 2010 }} However, it received only a limited release in the United States. Its accompanying music video was due to be released in March 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.aliciakeys.com/us/news/put-it-love-song-single-cover |title=Put It In A Love Song Single Cover | The Official Alicia Keys Site |publisher=Aliciakeys.com |access-date=2010-10-25}} but was cancelled so "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" could be pushed forward as a single instead.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/alicia-keys/news/202785-alicia-keys-beyonce-drake |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409065318/http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/alicia-keys/news/202785-alicia-keys-beyonce-drake |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2010 |title=Alicia Keys Delays Beyonce Duet | Alicia Keys | News |publisher=Mtv.co.uk |date=2010-04-06 |access-date=2010-10-25}} Despite this, "Put It in a Love Song" peaked at number 60 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Following the album's release, Keys' version of "Empire State of Mind" charted due to digital sales. It was released as an international single in February 2010 and was the best charting single from the album in several territories. It peaked at number four in the UK,{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Brassbound |title=Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind (Part II) |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=2009-12-26 |access-date=2010-10-25}} six in the Netherlands,{{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/search.aspx?keyword=Alicia+Keys |title=Top 40 |publisher=Top40.nl |access-date=2010-10-25}} and number eight in Ireland.{{cite web |url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2010&year=2010&week=7 |title=GFK Chart-Track |publisher=Chart-track.co.uk |access-date=2010-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329035306/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2010&year=2010&week=7 |archive-date=2012-03-29 }} It also peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Meanwhile, in the United States, "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" began to make its impact starting April 13.{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=74389 |title=Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! |publisher=FMQB |access-date=2010-12-13}} It was the most successful single from the album in the US, topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for 12 consecutive weeks,[http://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-05-22/r-b-hip-hop-songs Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs]. May 22, 2010. Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-12. as well as reaching number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. A remix featuring Drake was released on May 28.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/un-thinkable-im-ready-remix/id374980722 |title=Un-thinkable (I'm Ready) [Remix] {feat. Drake} – Single by Alicia Keys – Download Un-thinkable (I'm Ready) [Remix] {feat. Drake} – Single on iTunes |publisher=Itunes.apple.com |date=2010-05-28 |access-date=2010-08-10}}

Following the birth of her first child on October 16, Keys revealed that "Wait Til You See My Smile" would be released as the next single in the UK on November 28.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/alicia-keys/news/242359-alicia-keys-has-baby-boy |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908210421/http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/alicia-keys/news/242359-alicia-keys-has-baby-boy |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |title=Alicia Keys Has Baby Boy | Alicia Keys | News |publisher=Mtv.co.uk |date=2010-10-16 |access-date=2010-12-13}} However, it got pushed back to December 12. The single featured the aforementioned remix of "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" as the B-side.{{cite web |url=http://www.7digital.com/artists/alicia-keys-(2)/wait-til-you-see-my-smile/ |title=Wait Til You See My Smile |publisher=7digital.com |access-date=October 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616211836/http://www.7digital.com/artists/alicia-keys-(2)/wait-til-you-see-my-smile/ |archive-date=2011-06-16 }} To promote the single, 12,000 filmmakers were invited over a period of six weeks to create a music video for the song. Keys then selected one of the six short-listed videos to be released as the song's official music video via YouTube and music television channels.{{cite web |url=http://www.rwdmag.com/2010/10/alicia-keys-announces-new-single-wait-till-you-see-me-smile/ |title=Alicia Keys Announces New Single Wait Till You See Me Smile « RWD: Grime, Hip Hop, Dubstep, Funky, Pop, R&B, House, News, Interviews, Videos, Audio and Fashion |publisher=Rwdmag.com |date=2010-10-15 |access-date=2010-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022022305/http://www.rwdmag.com/2010/10/alicia-keys-announces-new-single-wait-till-you-see-me-smile/ |archive-date=2010-10-22 }}

{{Music ratings

| MC = 67/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/alicia-keys|title=Reviews for The Element of Freedom by Alicia Keys|website=Metacritic|access-date=September 13, 2020}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-element-of-freedom-mw0001791556 |title=The Element of Freedom – Alicia Keys |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=January 30, 2017}}

| rev2 = Chicago Tribune

| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|4}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3Score = A−

| rev4 = The Independent

| rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}

| rev5 = The Irish Times

| rev5Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Lauren|date=December 31, 2009|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/album-reviews/rock-pop-1.796752|title=Rock/Pop|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=October 4, 2016}}

| rev6 = Los Angeles Times

| rev6Score = {{Rating|3|4}}

| rev7 = MSN Music (Consumer Guide)

| rev7Score = B{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=March 2010|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2010-03.php|title=Consumer Guide|website=MSN Music|access-date=September 20, 2020|via=robertchristgau.com}}

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8Score = {{Rating|3|5}}

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9Score = 5/10

| rev10 = USA Today

| rev10Score = {{Rating|3|4}}

}}

The Element of Freedom received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, it received an average score of 67, based on 14 reviews.{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/alicia-keys |title=Reviews for The Element Of Freedom by Alicia Keys |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 15, 2009}} Andrew Burgess of musicOMH said that the album's production is "a perfect counterpoint to Keys' voice, and the sentiment she's trying to convey", while calling the album one of "the best pop albums of 2009". Chicago Tribune writer Greg Kot called the album Keys' "most consistent album and also her most low-key", and found it less "forced or gimmicky" than her previous albums.{{cite web|url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2009/12/album-review-alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom.html|title=Album review: Alicia Keys, 'The Element of Freedom'|last=Kot|first=Greg|date=December 13, 2009|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=December 14, 2009}} Killian Fox of The Observer called it "a confident, well-crafted modern soul record" that was made without "doing anything groundbreaking".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/dec/13/alicia-keys-element-of-freedom|title=Alicia Keys: The Element of Freedom|last=Fox|first=Killian|date=December 13, 2009|work=The Observer|access-date=December 14, 2009}} Los Angeles Times writer Randy Lewis wrote favorably of Keys' thematic approach, stating that she "digs deep into the multitude of implications of independence".Lewis, Randy (2009-12-14). "[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/12/album-review-alicia-keys.html Album review: Alicia Keys' 'The Element of Freedom']." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2010-02-15. Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly said that Keys has "established herself as an increasingly rare thing in pop music: the class act", noting that the "often-banal lyrics" were carried by her "quicksilver" voice. USA Today{{'}}s Steve Jones called its songs "consistently strong and thematically cohesive", and found the album "more nuanced and intimate" than Keys' previous work.Jones, Steve (2009-12-15). "[https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2009-12-15-listenup15_ST1_N.htm Listen Up: Alicia Keys evolves in 'Element of Freedom']." USA Today. Retrieved on 2010-02-15.

In a mixed review for The Independent, Simon Price found the songs monotonous and said that they "drift by disappointingly, anodyne and indistinguishable".{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-sony-1839106.html|title=Album: Alicia Keys, The Element of Freedom, (Sony)|last=Price|first=Simon|date=December 13, 2009|work=The Independent|access-date=December 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101130356/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom-sony-1839106.html|archive-date=January 1, 2010}} Rob Sheffield, writing in Rolling Stone, felt that the production "compresses [Keys'] voice, making it sound a lot less like her, especially on the ballads".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/31250847/review/31633403/the_element_of_freedom|title=Alicia Keys – The Element of Freedom|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|date=January 4, 2010|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|access-date=July 31, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108083951/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/31250847/review/31633403/the_element_of_freedom|archive-date=January 8, 2010}} Mikael Wood of Spin accused Keys of being "uninterested in breaking new ground, snooze-controlling her way through a series of familiar piano-soul platitudes".Wood, Mikael (2009-12-09). "[http://www.spin.com/reviews/alicia-keys-element-freedom-j Alicia Keys: 'The Element of Freedom' (J)]." Spin. Retrieved on 2010-02-13. Tyler Lewis of PopMatters pointed out in his review "uninspiring, trendy electronica production, strident lead vocal performances, and banal lyricism".Lewis, Tyler (2010-01-11). "[http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/118130-alicia-keys-the-element-of-freedom Alicia Keys: The Element of Freedom]." PopMatters. Retrieved on 2010-01-11. Chicago Sun-Times writer Jim DeRogatis panned its lyrics as "empty cliches" and found the music pretentious.{{cite web |last=DeRogatis |first=Jim |author-link=Jim DeRogatis |url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2010/01/alicia_keys_the_element_of_fre.html |title=Alicia Keys, "The Element of Freedom" (J Records) [1 star out of 4] |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=January 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110014319/http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis |archive-date=January 10, 2010 |access-date=January 11, 2010}} Robert Christgau, writing for MSN Music, named it "dud of the month", indicating "a bad record whose details rarely merit further thought".Christgau, Robert. [http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg90/grades-90s.php CG Keys to Icons: Grades 1990–]. Robert Christgau. Retrieved on 2010-02-28. He interpreted Keys' attempt at "melismatic pain" to be "formal ploy merely, a diva-by-default's privilege", and found it "far from a shock but definitely a disappointment to watch Ms. Trained Pianist survey her branding options and choose the bland card over the brains card".

{{Awards table|5}}

|- 

! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 2010 

| rowspan="3"| NAACP Image Award 

| Outstanding Album 

| The Element of Freedom 

| {{nom}} 

| rowspan="3"| {{center|{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2010/01/41st-naacp-image-award-nominations-21412/|title=41st NAACP Image Award Nominations|website=Deadline|first=Nikki|last=Finke|date=January 6, 2010|access-date=September 23, 2021}}}} 

|- 

| Outstanding Music Video 

| "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart"

| {{nom}}

|- 

| Outstanding Female Artist 

| Alicia Keys 

| {{nom}} 

|- 

! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2010

| rowspan="2"| MTV Video Music Award Japan 

| Video of the Year 

| rowspan="2"| "Doesn't Mean Anything"

| {{nom}} 

| rowspan="2"| {{center|{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvjapan.com/news/music/17559 |title=「MTV WORLD STAGE VMAJ 2010」 全ノミネート作品一覧 | 音楽ニュース |publisher=Mtv Japan |date=March 31, 2010 |access-date=December 3, 2015 |language=ja}}}} 

|- 

| Best R&B Video

| {{nom}} 

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2010

| rowspan="2"| Teen Choice Award

| Choice Music – R&B Artist

| Alicia Keys

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2"| {{center|{{cite web|url=http://www.chiff.com/pop-culture/teen-choice-awards.htm |title=2010 Teen Choice Awards, Nominees, Winners, TV Schedule |publisher=Chiff.com |access-date=July 8, 2010}}}}

|-

| Choice Music – Album

| rowspan="3"| The Element of Freedom

| {{nom}}

|-

! scope="row"| 2010

| Premios Oye!

| English Record of the Year

| {{nom}}

| {{center|{{cite web|title=El Potrillo Máximo nominado a Premios Oye|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/706230.html|language=es|date=September 3, 2010|work=El Universal|access-date=March 22, 2015}}}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2010

| rowspan="2"| American Music Award

| Favorite Soul/R&B Album

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2"| {{center|{{cite web|date=October 12, 2010|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2010-american-music-awards-nominees-announced-104786289.html|title=2010 American Music Awards®' Nominees Announced|publisher=PRNewswire|access-date=December 8, 2014}}}}

|-

| Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist

| rowspan="2"| Alicia Keys

| {{nom}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="4"| 2010

| rowspan="4"| Soul Train Music Award

| Best R&B/Soul Female Artist

| {{won}}

| rowspan="4"| {{center|{{cite web|title=R. Kelly Kicks Off the Most Soulful Night in Entertainment at the 2010 Soul Train Awards|url=http://soultrain.com/2010/10/18/r-kelly-kicks-off-the-most-soulful-night-in-entertainment-at-the-2010-soul-train-awards/|publisher=Soul Train|date=October 18, 2010|access-date=March 19, 2015}}{{cite web|title=2010 Soul Train Awards Winners|url=http://soultrain.com/2010/11/29/2010-soul-train-awards-winners/|publisher=Soul Train|date=November 29, 2010|access-date=March 19, 2015}}}}

|-

| Best Album of the Year

| The Element of Freedom

| {{nom}}

|-

| Best Song of the Year

| rowspan="2"| "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)"

| {{nom}}

|-

| The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award

| {{won}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2010

| MP3 Music Award

| The BFV Award

| "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart"

| {{nom}}

| {{center|{{cite web|author1=Music-News.com Newsdesk|title=MP3 Awards 2010 Nominations|url=http://www.music-news.com/shownews.asp?nItemID=34972|publisher=Music-News|date=September 2, 2010|access-date=March 8, 2015}}}}

|-

| colspan="2"| The Record of the Year

| "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"

| {{nom}}

| {{center|{{cite web|author1=Eames, Tom|title='Fireflies' wins 'Record Of The Year'|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a292649/fireflies-wins-record-of-the-year.html#~oVwFhECGFAnV3S|website=Digital Spy|access-date=November 13, 2014|date=December 10, 2010}}}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="8"| 2011

| colspan="2"| MTV Video Play Award

| "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart"

| style="background-color:gold"| {{center|Gold}}

| {{center|{{cite web|title=Rihanna and Lady Gaga Lead 2010 MTV Video Play Awards|url=http://www.antimusic.com/news/11/feb/02Rihanna_and_Lady_Gaga_Lead_2010_MTV_Video_Play_Awards.shtml|work=Anti Music|access-date=February 2, 2011}}}}

|-

| Hungarian Music Award

| Modern Pop-Rock Album of the Year

| rowspan="2"| The Element of Freedom

| {{nom}}

| {{center|{{cite web|title=Ákos, Tabáni István és Bródy János is díjat kapott tegnap|url=http://napiaszonline.hu/sztarpletyka/akos_tabani_istvan_es_brody_janos_is_dijat_kapott_tegnap_26789/index.php|publisher=Napiász Online|access-date=May 30, 2015|language=hu|date=March 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113011833/http://napiaszonline.hu/sztarpletyka/akos_tabani_istvan_es_brody_janos_is_dijat_kapott_tegnap_26789/index.php|archive-date=January 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}}}

|-

| Swiss Music Award

| Best Foreign Urban Album

| {{nom}}

| {{center|{{cite web|url=https://www.schweizer-illustrierte.ch/stars/remady-hurts-bligg-das-sind-die-nominierten|title=Swiss Music Awards 2011: SMA Nominierte Remady, Seven, Adrian Stern|work=Schweizer Illustrierte|language=German|accessdate=September 23, 2021}}}}

|-

| NAACP Image Award

| Outstanding Music Video

| "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)"

| {{won}}

| {{center|{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/for-colored-girls-denzel-halle-tyler-perry-win-at-naacp-image-awards-111526/amp/|title='For Colored Girls', Denzel, Halle & Tyler Perry Win At NAACP Image Awards|website=Deadline|first=Nikki|last=Finke|date=March 5, 2011|access-date=September 23, 2021}}}}

|-

| rowspan="2"| New York Music Award

| Best R&B Single

| "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart"

| {{won}}

| rowspan="2"| {{center|{{cite web|title=2011 New York Music Awards ™ Winners |url=http://www.newyorkmusicawards.com/2010_Winners.html |publisher=New York Music Awards |access-date=November 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818150503/http://www.newyorkmusicawards.com/2010_Winners.html |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |url-status=live }}}}

|-

| Best R&B Songwriter

| rowspan="2"| Alicia Keys

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan="2"| RTHK International Pop Poll Award

| Top Female Artist

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2"| {{center|{{cite web|url=http://rthk.hk/special/poppoll22/ |title=22nd International Pop Poll |work=RTHK |publisher=Government of Hong Kong |date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=January 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114218/http://rthk.hk/special/poppoll22/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}}}

|-

| Top Ten International Gold Songs

| "Put It in a Love Song"

| {{nom}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2011

| rowspan="2"| Billboard Music Award

| Top R&B Artist

| Alicia Keys

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2"| {{center|{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472097/full-2011-billboard-music-awards-finalists-list |title=Full 2011 Billboard Music Awards Finalists List |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=April 12, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}}}

|-

| Top R&B Song

| rowspan="2"| "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)"

| {{nom}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2011

| rowspan="2"| BMI Urban Award

| rowspan="2"| Award Winning Songs

| {{won}}

| rowspan="2"| {{center|{{cite web|url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/placeholder_for_urban_award_story|title=2011 BMI Urban Music Awards: Snoop Dogg, Drake, B.o.B, Lex Luger, Universal Music Publishing & More Honored at BMI Urban Awards|website=BMI.com|publisher=Broadcast Music Inc.|date=August 27, 2011|access-date=November 30, 2014}}}}

|-

| "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart"

| {{won}}

|}

The Element of Freedom debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 417,000 copies in its first week.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266324/susan-boyle-blocks-alicia-keys-from-no-1-on-billboard-200|title=Susan Boyle Blocks Alicia Keys From No. 1 on Billboard 200|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=December 23, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 23, 2013}} This became Keys' first album to not debut at number one on that chart. In its second week, the album fell to number four on the chart, selling an additional 280,000 copies.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266300/susan-boyle-spends-fifth-week-at-no-1-on-billboard-200|title=Susan Boyle Spends Fifth Week At No. 1 On Billboard 200|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=December 30, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 23, 2013}} In its third week, the album climbed to number three, selling 80,000 more copies.{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/960799/susan-boyle-extends-run-atop-billboard-200 |title=Susan Boyle Extends Run Atop Billboard 200 |magazine=Billboard |date=January 6, 2010 |access-date=March 23, 2013}} In its fourth week, the album fell to number four, selling 62,000 copies.{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959758/keha-ends-boyles-dream-with-no-1-debut-on-billboard-200 |title=Ke$ha Ends Boyle's 'Dream' With No. 1 Debut On Billboard 200 |magazine=Billboard |date=January 13, 2010 |access-date=March 23, 2013}} As of July 2014, it had sold 1.6 million copies in the US.{{cite magazine |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/6165606/alicia-keys-signs-with-guy-oseary-and-ron-laffitte |title=Alicia Keys Signs with Guy Oseary and Ron Laffitte |magazine=Billboard |date=July 18, 2014 |access-date=June 27, 2015}} On August 11, 2020, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over two million units in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=alicia+keys&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=RIAA Certifications - Alicia Keys|website=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=August 19, 2020}}

In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 17 on the UK Albums Chart on December 20, 2009. It later climbed to number one on February 7, 2010, making it Keys' first album to ever to top the chart.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959459/alicia-keys-scores-first-uk-no-1-album |title=Alicia Keys Scores First U.K. No. 1 Album |magazine=Billboard |date=February 8, 2010 |access-date=March 25, 2013}} It also spent 13 consecutive weeks atop the UK R&B Albums Chart.{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/20100418/115/ |title=Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40 |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=April 18–24, 2010 |access-date=January 30, 2017}} On July 22, 2013, the album was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of over 900,000 copies in the UK.{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified/|title=BPI Certifications - Alicia Keys|access-date=March 1, 2020}} As of November 2016, the album has sold 1,015,071 copies in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-clean-bandit-end-little-mix-s-reign-on-top-of-the-singles-chart/066533 |title=Official Charts Analysis: Clean Bandit end Little Mix's reign on top of the singles chart |work=Music Week |date=November 11, 2016 |access-date=November 27, 2016 |url-access=subscription }}

In Canada, the album entered the Canadian Albums Chart at number five,{{cite web |last=Williams |first=John |url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/B/Boyle_Susan/2009/12/23/12252071-qmi.html |title=Boyle, Bocelli top holiday chart |publisher=Jam! |date=December 23, 2009 |access-date=January 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309210427/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/B/Boyle_Susan/2009/12/23/12252071-qmi.html |archive-date=March 9, 2016 }} and was certified platinum by the Music Canada (MC) on December 23, 2009 for shipments in excess of 80,000 units. In mainland Europe, the album reached number one in Switzerland, while charting within the top five in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, and the top 10 in Germany, Norway, and Poland. As of August 2012, the album had sold over four million copies worldwide.{{cite web |last=Gilmore |first=Bryant |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1692431/alicia-keys-girl-on-fire-cover-art/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226011158/http://www.mtv.com/news/1692431/alicia-keys-girl-on-fire-cover-art/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 26, 2014 |title=Alicia Keys Unleashes Confident Girl On Fire Cover |publisher=MTV News |date=August 23, 2012 |access-date=January 30, 2017}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| headline = The Element of Freedom {{nobold|– Standard edition}}

| total_length = 53:04

| title1 = The Element of Freedom

| note1 = Intro

| length1 = 0:12

| title2 = Love Is Blind

| writer2 = {{hlist|Alicia Keys|Jeff Bhasker}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Bhasker|Keys}}

| length2 = 3:49

| title3 = Doesn't Mean Anything

| writer3 = {{hlist|Keys|Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Jr.}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Brothers|Keys}}

| length3 = 4:32

| title4 = Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart

| writer4 = {{hlist|Bhasker|Keys|Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds}}

| extra4 = Bhasker

| length4 = 4:09

| title5 = Wait Til You See My Smile

| writer5 = {{hlist|Keys|Bhasker|Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Keys|Bhasker}}

| length5 = 4:01

| title6 = That's How Strong My Love Is

| writer6 = Keys

| extra6 = Keys

| length6 = 4:04

| title7 = Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)

| writer7 = {{hlist|Keys|Aubrey Graham|Brothers|Noah "40" Shebib}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers||40}}

| length7 = 4:09

| title8 = Love Is My Disease

| writer8 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers|Toby Gad|Meleni Smith}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Brothers|Gad{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length8 = 4:01

| title9 = Like the Sea

| writer9 = {{hlist|Keys|Bhasker}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|Keys|Bhasker}}

| length9 = 4:13

| title10 = Put It in a Love Song

| note10 = featuring Beyoncé

| writer10 = {{hlist|Keys|Dean}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Swizz Beatz|Keys}}

| length10 = 3:15

| title11 = This Bed

| writer11 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers|Steve Mostyn}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length11 = 3:45

| title12 = Distance and Time

| writer12 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers|Mostyn}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length12 = 4:27

| title13 = How It Feels to Fly

| writer13 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length13 = 4:42

| title14 = Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down

| writer14 = {{hlist|Keys|Al Shuckburgh|Shawn Carter|Jane't "Jnay" Sewell-Ulepić|Angela Hunte|Bert Keyes|Sylvia Robinson}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|Al Shux|Keys}}

| length14 = 3:36

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Element of Freedom {{nobold|– Japanese edition (bonus tracks)}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 61:05

| title15 = Stolen Moments

| writer15 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers|Lamont Green|Wah Wah Watson}}

| extra15 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length15 = 4:52

| title16 = Heaven's Door

| writer16 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length16 = 3:18

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Element of Freedom {{nobold|– Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)}}{{cite web |url=http://musicline.de/de/product/886976309022/Keys%2CAlicia/The+Element+Of+Freedom/2586224/CD+%B1+DVD+Video.html |title=Keys, Alicia – The Element Of Freedom – CD + DVD Video |language=de |publisher=musicline.de |access-date=January 30, 2017}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 62:17

| title15 = Through It All

| writer15 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| extra15 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length15 = 4:28

| title16 = Pray for Forgiveness

| writer16 = {{hlist|Keys|Linda Perry}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length16 = 4:44

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Element of Freedom {{nobold|– Japanese deluxe edition (bonus tracks)}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 70:27

| title17 = Stolen Moments

| writer17 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers|Green|Watson}}

| extra17 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length17 = 4:52

| title18 = Heaven's Door

| writer18 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| extra18 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length18 = 3:18

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Element of Freedom {{nobold|– Deluxe edition (bonus DVD)}}

| total_length = 18:55

| title1 = Doesn't Mean Anything

| note1 = intimate studio performance

| length1 = 3:55

| title2 = Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down

| note2 = intimate studio performance

| length2 = 1:59

| title3 = Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart

| note3 = intimate studio performance

| length3 = 3:39

| title4 = No One

| note4 = intimate studio performance

| length4 = 4:09

| title5 = Doesn't Mean Anything

| note5 = music video

| length5 = 5:13

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Element of Freedom {{nobold|– Empire Edition (bonus disc)}}{{cite web |url=http://www.myplaydirect.com/alicia-keys/element-of-freedom-exclusive-empire-edition/details/5118841 |title=Alicia Keys "Element Of Freedom (Exclusive Empire Edition)" |publisher=MyPlay Direct |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217111202/http://www.myplaydirect.com/alicia-keys/element-of-freedom-exclusive-empire-edition/details/5118841 |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |access-date=December 13, 2014}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 27:17

| title1 = Lover Man

| writer1 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length1 = 3:17

| title2 = We're Almost There

| writer2 = {{hlist|Brian Holland|Eddie Holland}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Beatz|Keys}}

| length2 = 3:37

| title3 = No One

| note3 = live

| writer3 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers|George D. Harry}}

| length3 = 4:00

| title4 = Like You'll Never See Me Again

| note4 = live

| writer4 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers}}

| length4 = 4:52

| title5 = If I Ain't Got You

| note5 = live

| writer5 = Keys

| length5 = 4:44

| title6 = Karma

| note6 = live

| writer6 = {{hlist|Keys|Brothers|Taneisha Smith}}

| length6 = 3:14

| title7 = Fallin'

| note7 = live

| writer7 = Keys

| length7 = 3:33

}}

Notes

• ^{{note|a|a}} signifies a co-producer

Sample credits

• "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" contains a sample from "Love on a Two-Way Street", written by Bert Keyes and Sylvia Robinson, as performed by The Moments.

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the deluxe edition of The Element of Freedom.{{cite AV media notes |title=The Element of Freedom |type=deluxe edition liner notes |others=Alicia Keys |publisher=J Records |year=2009 |id=88697-60898-2-RE1}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Musicians

• Alicia Keys – B3 organ, concept, CP-70, keyboards, Moog bass, Moog synth, piano, Prophet organ, Rhodes, synths, synth programming, vocals, Wurlitzer
• Carlos Alomar – electric guitar {{small|(tracks 7, 8, 10, 13)}}
• Beyoncé – featured vocals {{small|(track 10)}}
• Jeff Bhasker – background vocals {{small|(tracks 2, 4)}}, drum programming {{small|(track 2)}}; keyboards {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 5)}}, synths {{small|(tracks 2, 5, 9)}}, synth programming {{small|(track 4)}}
• Kerry Brothers Jr. – drum programming
• Drake – background vocals {{small|(track 7)}}
• Toby Gad – guitar, keyboards {{small|(track 8)}}
• Jeff Gitelman – electric guitar {{small|(track 11)}}
• Ron Haney – electric guitar {{small|(track 6)}}
• LIV'RE – choir {{small|(track 13)}}
• Steve Mostyn – bass guitar {{small|(tracks 8, 10)}}, additional piano {{small|(track 11)}}, Moog bass {{small|(track 12)}}
• Paul Pesco – acoustic guitar, electric guitar {{small|(track 3)}}
• Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds – drum programming {{small|(tracks 4, 5)}}
• Davide Rossi – cello, strings arrangement, strings, viola, violin {{small|(tracks 6)}}
• Noah "40" Shebib – drum programming, keyboards {{small|(track 7)}}
• Al Shux – keyboards, programming {{small|(track 14)}}
• John "Jubu" Smith – electric guitar {{small|(track 6)}}
• Swizz Beatz – drum programming {{small|(track 10)}}
• Steven Wolf – live drums {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 8)}}

{{col-2}}

Additional personnel

• Kiku/BabyAlpaca – artwork, design
• Erwin Gorostiza – creative director
• Ashunta Sheriff – make-up
• Tippi Shorter – hair
• Yu Tsai – photography
• Wouri Vice – stylist

Technical personnel

• Alicia Keys – executive producer, producer
• Jeff Bhasker – producer
• Kerry Brothers Jr. – executive producer, producer
• Toby Gad – co-producer & additional engineering {{small|(track 8)}}
• Noah "40" Shebib – producer, recording {{small|(track 7)}}
• Al Shux – producer
• Swizz Beatz – producer {{small|(track 10)}}
• Peter Edge – executive producer
• Jeff Robinson – executive producer
• Erik Madrid – mix assistant
• Manny Marroquin – mixing
• Tony Maserati – mixing {{small|(tracks 13, 14)}}
• Christian Plata – mix assistant
• Christian Baker – assistant engineer
• George Fullan – assistant engineer
• Ann Mincieli – engineer, recording, album coordination
• Val Brathwaite – assistant engineer
• Chris Soper – assistant engineer {{small|(track 10)}}
• Valente Torres – assistant engineer
• Miki Tsutsumi – assistant engineer, additional engineering
• Stuart White – assistant engineer, additional engineering, mix assistant
• Dave Kutch – mastering

{{col-end}}

==Charts==

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2010|access-date=June 27, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|date=December 23, 2009|access-date=June 27, 2015|refname="CRIA"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2019|access-date=May 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2010|date=July 8, 2010|access-date=June 27, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2009|access-date=June 27, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2009|access-date=November 11, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=アリシア・キーズ |title=エレメント・オブ・フリーダム|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2010|certmonth=6}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2009|relmonth=11|certyear=2010|access-date=16 August 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2010|date=October 13, 2010|access-date=June 27, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2009|relmonth=12|certref=}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2010|access-date=June 27, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Platinum|number=3|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2013|id=12066-3709-2|date=July 22, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2015|salesamount=1,015,071|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Alicia Keys|title=The Element of Freedom|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

• Album era
• List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 2010
• List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 2010s
• List of UK R&B Albums Chart number ones of 2010

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.aliciakeys.com Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212185036/http://www.aliciakeys.com/ |date=2009-12-12 }}

{{Alicia Keys}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Element Of Freedom, The}}

Category:2009 albums

Category:Albums produced by Al Shux

Category:Albums produced by Alicia Keys

Category:Albums produced by Jeff Bhasker

Category:Albums produced by Noah "40" Shebib

Category:Albums produced by Swizz Beatz

Category:Albums produced by Toby Gad

Category:Alicia Keys albums

Category:J Records albums